North Market teams up with Gateway Film Center for summer drive-in series

The Gateway Film Center and The North Market have teamed up to bring a little peice of nostalgia back to the downtown area.

Photo courtesy of The North Market

Yesterday, The North Market announced their plans to transform their parking lot into a downtown drive-in movie theatre this May.

"We want to make the North Market an attraction," North Market Marketing Director Sheila Hunt-Rossiter said. "It's a great way to utilize the market's facility, partner with another local institution, and increase our fundraising."

Beginning May 3, motorists and pedestrians alike can check out some of their favorite movie classics projected onto a 30 foot screen set up at the market. Sound will be broadcast through an FM radio station for those in a vehicle, and through speakers strategically placed around the parking lot for pedestrians.

"We were really lucky the Gateway Film Center was so good about working out the details with sound and projection," Hunt-Rossiter said. "They really worked hard on figuring out the logistics."

The series kicks off with "Toy Story" on May 3, followed by "Ghostbusters" on June 13 and "Jaws" on July 25. The price is $18 per vehicle (they encourage you to pile in your friends) and $5 for pedestrians.

Though the details haven't been completely ironed out, Hunt-Rossiter assures us that North Market merchants will be on hand for refreshments.

"We aren't sure if we want to bring merchants outside yet, but there will definitely be snacks available. The vendors are just as excited about it as we are," she said. "I mean, you can't have a drive in without food."

According to Hunt-Rossiter, the downtown drive-in was the brainchild of North Market Executive Director Rick Harrison Wolfe, as part of his vision for the market.

"Rick is really creative and great at getting people behind a project," she said.

Hunt-Rossiter plans on being in the audience herself.

"My son is probably most excited about "Toy Story," but I personally can't wait to watch "Ghostbusters" on that 30 foot screen," Hunt-Rossiter said.